Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 26 November 2025 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State claims the current government will reduce child poverty, building on previous achievements.
  • The response acknowledges the government's commitment to sound public finances and taking difficult steps to address child poverty.
  • The Secretary of State denies the characterization of the government's policies on cost-of-living issues and notes ongoing discussions with the Chancellor regarding national living wage increases for Scottish workers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Saville Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Scotland Children & Families
Context

The Scottish Government has laid regulations to mitigate the two-child cap policy introduced by Labour, and it is noted that child poverty is falling uniquely in Scotland where a non-Labour government operates.

Question

The Secretary of State acknowledges that the Government needs to go further with their cost-of-living measures. This morning, the Scottish Government laid regulations necessary to mitigate the two-child cap introduced by Labour and maintained by the current government. As child poverty is falling uniquely in Scotland under a non-Labour regime, does he recognise the effectiveness of the Scottish child payment? Does he agree that Labour governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster should follow the lead set by the Scottish Government?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

I was part of a government that saw significant reduction in child poverty. I believe this government will be true to its commitment as well. We welcome all measures that reduce child poverty after years where it has tragically risen.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not explicitly address the specific effectiveness of the Scottish child payment or endorse similar measures by Labour elsewhere.

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Q2 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Economy Scotland Children & Families
Context

Since the King's Speech, when Labour MPs were whipped to vote against scrapping the two-child cap, it is now known how many children have been pushed into poverty due to this policy.

Question

The 16 months since the King’s Speech saw a whip on Labour MPs to oppose scrapping the two-child benefit cap. How many children have slid into poverty as a result of the Government's refusal to scrap that cap?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

We have always been clear that we wanted to take action based on sound public finances. That’s why it is a Labour Government that has taken difficult and challenging steps, including those after 1997 when we lifted a record number of kids out of poverty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide the specific statistic requested about the number of children affected by maintaining the two-child cap policy.

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Q3 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Economy Scotland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Over the past year, various policies have negatively affected the north-east of Scotland including national insurance hikes, agricultural sector taxation, offshore energy sector impacts, and a raw deal for the fishing industry.

Question

Almost 500 days since this government took office, its policies regarding cost-of-living issues such as national insurance increases, taxes on agriculture, offshore energy job losses due to the energy profits levy, and poor support for fisheries through coastal growth fund inadequacies have been problematic. Will the Chancellor address these issues or will there be another failed budget?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

It will not surprise the House that I am not going to prejudge announcements from the Chancellor. However, I do not recognise the characterisation offered by the hon. Gentleman regarding this Labour Government’s first 15 months in office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address directly whether the Chancellor would fix these issues or if there will be another failed budget.

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Q4 Martin Rhodes Lab Glasgow North
Employment Scotland
Context

Discussions have occurred in the Cabinet regarding the national living wage increase and its implications for Scotland.

Question

The Secretary of State had discussions with the Chancellor about how the increase to the national living wage affects Scotland. Can he share more details?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

Only this morning there were Cabinet discussions involving me and the Chancellor, where we discussed both the upgrade to workers’ rights and the pay rise for 200,000 lowest-paid Scots.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific details on the discussions but confirmed they occurred recently.

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Q5 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Economy Energy
Context

Since the Labour government took office, household energy bills have risen by £187. The Secretary of State is asked for details on how much this has increased.

Question

Household energy bills have risen by £187 since the Labour government came to power. Additionally, more increases are expected. Does he understand the frustration with rising fuel poverty and food prices?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

This Government has taken action on energy bills and will continue to do so. We acknowledge benefits from £150 off winter energy bills for around 530,000 households in Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address the rising fuel poverty or food prices issue raised by the questioner but highlighted actions taken to mitigate it.

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